Luke 2:25 Commentary - Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
25-35. The Nunc Dimittis; or Prophecy of Simeon.
As in the body of the Jewish population we have abundant evidence that the expectation in regard to the Messiah was, that he would be a warlike deliverer of the nation from the Roman yoke, so in the shepherds we have the representatives of the general class of the more spiritual. But in Simeon and Anna we seem to have representatives of the higher order of saints, whose views were fully enlightened by a study of the prophets and the influences of the divine spirit.
25. Name was Simeon Some able thinkers have supposed this to be Rabban Simeon, (father of the learned Gamaliel,) president of the council, a man of eminence and learning, and living at this time. As the Jews, nevertheless, celebrated both the father and son of Simeon, but say very little of him, it has been imagined that his fault may have been his acknowledgment of the infant Jesus as Messiah. To the objection that Luke would not have introduced so distinguished a personage with the words “there was a man,” etc., it is plausibly replied that Luke introduces his still more distinguished son Gamaliel with the words “there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee,” etc. Act 5:34. To the objection that Rabban Simeon was not a very aged man, it may be replied that it is not explicitly said that this Simeon was aged. The phrase “should not see death until,” etc., is essentially used of the apostle in Mat 16:28. The phrase “now lettest thou thy servant depart,” etc., might be used by any man of mature age, who feels that he has gained the goal of his earthly life. Anna’s extreme age is arithmetically stated; but it is outside the evangelist’s narrative only that we bear of “aged Simeon.”
Just In dealings towards men.
Devout Towards God.
The consolations of Israel Israel is a child of sorrow; but his consolations were to come in the Messiah.
Consult other comments:
Luke 2:25 - The Greek Testament
Luke 2:25 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Luke 2:25 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Luke 2:25 - Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Luke 2:25 - Calvin's Complete Commentary
Luke 2:25 - The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Luke 2:25 - Adam Clarke's Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Luke 2:25 - Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Luke 2:25 - Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Luke 2:25 - Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Luke 2:25 - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Luke 2:25 - The Expositor’s Greek Testament by Robertson
Luke 2:25 - F.B. Meyer's Through the Bible Commentary
Luke 2:25 - Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible
Luke 2:25 - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Luke 2:25 - Geneva Bible Notes
Luke 2:25 - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Luke 2:25 - Gnomon of the New Testament
Luke 2:25 - Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
Luke 2:25 - Henry Alford's Greek Testament
Luke 2:25 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Luke 2:25 - Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary
Luke 2:25 - Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Luke 2:25 - Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Luke 2:25 - Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Luke 2:25 - The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Luke 2:25 - Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Luke 2:25 - Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer's New Testament Commentary
Luke 2:25 - Church Pulpit Commentary
Luke 2:25 - Peake's Commentary on the Bible
Luke 2:25 - Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luke 2:25 - English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Luke 2:25 - Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament
Luke 2:25 - Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
Luke 2:25 - A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Luke 2:25 - Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Luke 2:25 - John Trapp's Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Luke 2:25 - The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Luke 2:25 - You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Luke 2:25 - Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament
Luke 2:25 - Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Daniel D. Whedon (1808-1885) was a prominent university professor, theologian, and author. He served as Professor of Ancient Languages at Wesleyan University in Connecticut; as Professor of Rhetoric at the University of Michigan; and as editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review from 1856 to1884. He authored numerous books including Commentary on the New Testament (New York: Carlton & Porter, 1860); Commentary on the Old Testament (New York: Nelson & Phillips, 1873); What is Arminianism? (Toronto: W. Briggs, 1879); and Essays, Reviews, and Discourses (New York: Phillips & Hunt, 1887).